Updated: August 2026 by Study Tribune Team
Key Facts
- Administered by: Mauritius Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Research
- Eligible applicants: Citizens of African Union member states or African Commonwealth countries
- Study levels: Diploma, Bachelor’s, MPhil (Master’s), combined MPhil/PhD, PhD
- Undergraduate age limit: Under 26 (must not reach 26th birthday by 1 January of intake year)
- PhD age limit: Under 40 by 1 January of intake year
- Application route: Through your country’s official Nominating Agency (typically the Ministry of Education) — not a direct individual application
- Nominee cap: Maximum 15 eligible candidates per country, forwarded by the Nominating Agency
The Mauritius Africa Scholarship Scheme (MASS) is a fully funded scholarship offered by the Government of Mauritius to students from African Union member states and African Commonwealth countries, covering full-time study at public Higher Education Institutions in Mauritius. Mauritius runs a British-modeled higher education system taught in English, positioning the country as a stable, English-speaking regional study destination.
Is the 2026/27 Cycle Still Open?
The 2026 intake application window has closed — nominating agencies were required to submit completed applications by 27 March 2026. If you’re researching this scholarship now, that specific cycle has already concluded. Based on MASS’s consistent annual pattern, a new cycle for study beginning in 2027 is expected to open in late 2026, though exact dates haven’t yet been officially confirmed. Bookmark this page and check back, or monitor Mauritius’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Research directly for the official 2027/28 call for applications.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for MASS, applicants must meet the following:
- Citizenship: Resident citizen of an African Union member state or an African Commonwealth country
- Prior admission: Must have already applied to a full-time, on-campus program at a public Higher Education Institution in Mauritius for the relevant intake year
- Undergraduate applicants: Must be over 18 and not have reached their 26th birthday by 1 January of the intake year
- Postgraduate (MPhil/Master’s) applicants: Must hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree
- PhD applicants: Must not have reached age 40 by 1 January of the intake year, and typically hold a Bachelor’s with honors or a Master’s degree
What the Scholarship Covers
MASS is fully funded, covering tuition at the public institution the applicant has been admitted to, for the maximum scholarship duration or the minimum course duration — whichever is shorter.
How to Apply — Through Your National Nominating Agency
Unlike many international scholarships, MASS does not accept direct individual applications. Instead:
- Secure admission to a full-time program at a Mauritian public Higher Education Institution first
- Submit your application through your home country’s designated Nominating Agency — typically a unit within your national Ministry of Education
- The Nominating Agency shortlists and endorses a maximum of 15 eligible candidates per country
- The agency forwards completed application forms to Mauritius’s Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research by the official deadline
This structure means your first practical step isn’t applying to Mauritius directly — it’s identifying your own country’s Nominating Agency and confirming admission to a Mauritian institution first.
Our full scholarships hub, Scholarships for African Students
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mauritius Africa Scholarship Scheme?
MASS is a fully funded scholarship offered by the Government of Mauritius for citizens of African Union member states and African Commonwealth countries to study at public Higher Education Institutions in Mauritius, covering Diploma through PhD level.
Is the MASS scholarship still accepting applications?
The 2026 intake cycle closed on 27 March 2026. A new cycle for 2027/28 is expected based on the program’s annual pattern, but official dates have not yet been confirmed — check Mauritius’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Research directly for the current call for applications.
How do I apply for the Mauritius Africa Scholarship Scheme?
You cannot apply directly. You must first secure admission to a full-time program at a Mauritian public institution, then submit your application through your home country’s official Nominating Agency, typically housed within your Ministry of Education.
What is the age limit for the Mauritius Africa Scholarship Scheme?
Undergraduate applicants must not have reached their 26th birthday by 1 January of the intake year. PhD applicants must not have reached age 40 by the same date.
How many students can apply per country?
Each country’s Nominating Agency may shortlist and endorse a maximum of 15 eligible candidates.